The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

by Jay on Jan 11, 2008 8:31 AM EST in News Comment 88 comments

The Plain Dealer is reporting that the Indians have leased the naming rights to Jacobs Field to Progressive Insurance. Progressive was always a natural fit for the Jake, as one of just a handful of Cleveland-based companies that would benefit not only from the regional community-leading stature that accompanies the naming of a stadium, but also from the massive brand-name repetition appearing in broadcasts and tens of thousands of news reports nationwide.

A press conference is expected later this afternoon, so more details are to come. Full story.

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Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

The "Pro"? I'll get used to that before I do the "Q". Really, it could be worse. I just know it'll take a lonnnnggg time to stop saying the Jake.

The funny thing to me is that the Tribe hired IMG to find a sponsor, and over a year ago I said it would wind up either NatCity Field or Progressive Field. I guess after the monthly lay-off announcement from National City, I could have pegged it down to the eventual choice.

And I'm cheaper than IMG.

You know Selig? Ombudsman.

by rolub on Jan 11, 2008 8:39 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

Yeah, I called Progressive a year ago, too. Thorough search to try to create a market to increase the price. Great timing, coming off a very successful season.

by Jay on Jan 11, 2008 8:42 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

You don't really have to call it Progressive Field if you don't want to. Remember TAFKAP (The Artist Formerly Known as Prince)?

We could use TAFFKAJ (The Athletic Field Formerly Known as Jacobs).

"Hey, you! Get off our lawn!" -- New Detroit Tigers Team Motto

Pronk Needs You

by woodsmeister on Jan 11, 2008 9:28 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

I'm hoping for "The Prog."

by JulioBernazard on Jan 11, 2008 7:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

Could be worse. Doubt people will call it anything but the Jake anyway. Hell, I still call the "Q" the Gund, and I hardly go there.

Burn on, big river, burn on...

by Turkmenbashi on Jan 11, 2008 9:34 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

I thought I would do that too, but I always call it The Q now.

Why couldn't Great Lakes Brewing Company step in and buy the rights?

by nickjs21 on Jan 11, 2008 12:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

i'd settle for a larger presence at the beer stands.

by Brick. on Jan 11, 2008 12:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

Or a Milwaukee-esque beer slide so Slider could break his leg/arm/neck on the way down and we could retire that abomination.

Burn on, big river, burn on...

by Turkmenbashi on Jan 11, 2008 1:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

you know its not actually one guy (or girl) that dresses as Slider. Slider is not a real person/creature although (s)he claims to be.

by hans on Jan 11, 2008 3:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

There is one main guy. He does almost every game, as far as I know. The extra Silders go to schools, mall apperances, etc. Sporadically the main Slider will do apperances and the extra ones will do games. But the "real" Slider is the one that broke his leg.

by nickjs21 on Jan 11, 2008 3:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

Aren't some of the Sliders outsourced to Indonesia?

by Otto on Jan 11, 2008 4:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

Only the Nike ones.

"Hey, you! Get off our lawn!" -- New Detroit Tigers Team Motto

Pronk Needs You

by woodsmeister on Jan 11, 2008 4:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

SLIDER'S NOT REAL?!

I don't care who/what/why that thing is, it SUCKS.

Burn on, big river, burn on...

by Turkmenbashi on Jan 11, 2008 4:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

I am sorry to break it to you. Slider is not real. Only a replicant.

by hans on Jan 12, 2008 2:37 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

"Plato is a bore."

by kwoog on Jan 12, 2008 2:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

Is Rick Deckard on the case?

by talonk on Jan 15, 2008 3:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

I think he handed the case over to Gaff, Rick's likely hanging out at Taffey Lewis' bar.

by hans on Jan 16, 2008 2:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

come on Hans, the next thing you'll be telling me is that there's no Santa

"It's hard to win when you don't score." Cliff Lee, 9/28/05.

by Harry Doyle on Jan 11, 2008 5:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

Everybody knows Santas are extinct.

by hans on Jan 12, 2008 2:33 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

the new name will give new meaning to the phrase "insurance runs"

formerly 'tourist

by jhon on Jan 11, 2008 9:43 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

zing!

by mrich on Jan 11, 2008 9:45 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

"This insurance run brought to you by Progressive Insurance, Official Auto Insurer of the Cleveland Indians"

"Hey, you! Get off our lawn!" -- New Detroit Tigers Team Motto

Pronk Needs You

by woodsmeister on Jan 11, 2008 1:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

Let the onslaught of unfunny prefix-based newspaper headlines begin.

re-
agg-
retro-
trans-

by fleerdon on Jan 11, 2008 9:45 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

http://www.cleveland.com/sunmessenger/news/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1196884471267320.xml&coll=4

Hmmm

by mikebrowns26 on Jan 11, 2008 9:53 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

Does this mean Shapiro has to rename his group from Progressive Front Office?

by Brick. on Jan 11, 2008 10:10 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

Cleveland Progressive Rocks! Everybody break out your Rush and Emerson, Lake, and Palmer LPs!

by fleerdon on Jan 11, 2008 12:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

If it gets more Kansas played at games, I'm game.

by Voltaire on Jan 11, 2008 12:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

I guess the name change was inevitable, then.

by Voltaire on Jan 11, 2008 12:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

Hopefully the new source of revenue will go straight into the "Sign C.C." coffer. Based on the $2 million dollar annual fees listed for other stadiums' naming rights, it probably won't be a lot.

by Pronk33 on Jan 11, 2008 10:12 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

It has always intrigued me that teams are willing to "sell out" their stadium and any history the name might have for the sake of a paltry (in MLB terms) revenue stream.

Burn on, big river, burn on...

by Turkmenbashi on Jan 11, 2008 10:22 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

Agreed. Jamey Carroll makes more than $2MM/year, doesn't he?

by JulioBernazard on Jan 11, 2008 7:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

Another possibility could have been Cleveland Clinic Park.

Although calling it C.C. Park after '08 might sting a bit.

You know Selig? Ombudsman.

by rolub on Jan 11, 2008 10:31 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

Even though I sold my fair share of Jacobs Field merchandise while I worked there, I don't really mind this. It's definitely not the worst sponsor we could end up with.

However, Dan Gilbert should have sacked up and bought the naming rights to Jacobs Field. My idea for when Daniel Gilbert bought Gund Arena to rename it still stands: Gilbert buys the field and names it "Rock Financial Field".

Huh? "The Rock"? Come on, that's a no brainer. Rock n' roll city and all that. You could have Sean Connery say "Welcome to the Rock" to get you psyched up every game.

I guess it'll stay a beautiful dream.

by painaxl on Jan 11, 2008 10:33 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

"Gilbert buys the field" = He buys the naming rights. Sorry.

by painaxl on Jan 11, 2008 10:34 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

That would have been AMAZING

I think our teams need to embrace the whole "Cleveland Rocks" thing more. I guess it's cheesy to a lot of people, but it always gets me realluy pumped up.

Burn on, big river, burn on...

by Turkmenbashi on Jan 11, 2008 10:41 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

That "Cleveland Rocks" song makes me nauseous.

by KevinV on Jan 11, 2008 10:57 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

Really? It holds an equivalent value as the national anthemn with me. Nothing pumps me up more than that. It's like a big "eff you" to smug crap like "New York, New York."

Burn on, big river, burn on...

by Turkmenbashi on Jan 11, 2008 11:17 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

I hate that "NY, NY" song too. But at least Indians fans don't take "Cleveland Rocks" that seriously. NY fans treat that "NY, NY" sort of pompous garbage like it some how validates them as human beings, bleh.

I love Cleveland and everything, but for some reason "Cleveland Rocks" does nothing for me. Maybe its because it was the theme song for the Drew Carey Show. I like Drew for being so loyal, but now the song is associated for every with that silly musical type number they did at the opening of the show. Its like hearing the theme song to Home Improvement while I'm at an Indians game.

by KevinV on Jan 11, 2008 12:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

I watched that video before every game from September on.

by supermarioelia on Jan 11, 2008 10:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

Link to the presser, which starts at 11:30

http://www.wkyc.com/video/news/breaking/

by mikebrowns26 on Jan 11, 2008 11:29 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

What an awful logo. Looks like about zero thought went into it.

by mikebrowns26 on Jan 11, 2008 11:44 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

16 year deal. Average $3.6 million per year.

Described as relatively flat deal - does go up over time, but mostly consistent.

by IndyDave on Jan 11, 2008 11:50 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

Wow, 16 years? So by the end of the deal, it will have been "The Prog" longer than "The Jake."

Any word on "official" nicknames?

Burn on, big river, burn on...

by Turkmenbashi on Jan 11, 2008 12:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

1.56 Jamey Carroll's just disappeared.

by afh4 on Jan 11, 2008 5:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

Not sure what offseason addition I dislike more, the new name, or those crappy new alternative uni's.

by mikebrowns26 on Jan 11, 2008 12:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

Since neither are really a big deal, be thankful.

by nickjs21 on Jan 11, 2008 12:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

I vote for a new front page banner: Indians Progress Goes Boink. Or something of that manner.

by nickjs21 on Jan 11, 2008 12:34 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

If it lets us re-sign C.C., I'll stomach it. But I'm always calling it the Jake.

by Voltaire on Jan 11, 2008 12:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

My thoughts exactly.

by KevinV on Jan 11, 2008 12:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

Hey, at least we got something with limitless humor potential.

by Voltaire on Jan 11, 2008 12:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

there must be some limit.

I'm not superstitious, I'm just a little stitious.

by jakesinger777 on Jan 11, 2008 1:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

Already we've been able to rename our front office and expanding close leads. That's a good start.

by Voltaire on Jan 11, 2008 1:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

When Hammy does the out of town scoreboard is he going to say "from Progressive Field, where we give you our scores and the scores of our nearest AL competitors."

And what kind of tie-in could they come up with for "a swing and a drive"?

by mpstable on Jan 11, 2008 2:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

"A swing and a drive! To deep left! And that pitcher wishes he had more than just liability!"

Burn on, big river, burn on...

by Turkmenbashi on Jan 11, 2008 2:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

i almost choked on my lunch reading this one.

by jeremy on Jan 12, 2008 11:15 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

I'm just thankful there is no "Hindenburg Insurance Company" located in Cleveland.

by elsandito on Jan 11, 2008 1:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

Do Hamilton and Hegan get fined every time they say Jacobs Field or the Jake?

by palcal on Jan 11, 2008 1:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

They should open an entirely new checking account in preparation for 2008, then.

by nickjs21 on Jan 11, 2008 1:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

Perhaps they should get insurance....I know just the company to take care of it...

by cclemens31 on Jan 11, 2008 2:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

I can't wait to hear the first time Hamilton gets to comment about this on air.

And the first time he says "from Progressive Field on the corner of Carnegie and Ontario."

I think we'll need a bucket for all the sarcasm.

by Voltaire on Jan 11, 2008 2:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

I doubt it, but it sounds like a great premise for a drinking game. Every time Hamilton, Hegan, or one of their guests says "Jacobs Field", take a drink.

"Hey, you! Get off our lawn!" -- New Detroit Tigers Team Motto

Pronk Needs You

by woodsmeister on Jan 11, 2008 4:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

Classic Cleveland... Progressive Auto Insurance and Quicken Loans, I expect the football stadium to be... hmm.. searching for an appropriately down-market, predatory, corporation. Check N 2 Cash is probably out, too close to Quicken... Umm... maybe Rent A Wreck Stadium.

Sad day.

by royalsreview on Jan 11, 2008 2:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

Is Quicken implicated in the mortgage crisis as a predatory lender? First I've heard of it.

Alternates:

The Big Lot.

White Castle Palace.

Popeye's Chicken Crib.

Hugo Chavez Stadium.

formerly 'tourist

by jhon on Jan 11, 2008 3:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

Humm, maybe the Royals should name their stadium after a predatory, corporation store like Hyvee.

Oh, thats right the Royals are so bad no corporation would want their name attached to an abomination.

All Truth Goes Through Three Stages 1.It is ridiculed 2.It is violently opposed 3.Finally, it is accepted as self-evident LGT kinesiologist! Straw,Drink

by E5 on Jan 11, 2008 7:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

Ewing Kauffman made all his money in pharmaceuticals.

"Hey, you! Get off our lawn!" -- New Detroit Tigers Team Motto

Pronk Needs You

by woodsmeister on Jan 12, 2008 11:05 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

and David Glass made all his money as a Wal-Mart executive.

by jeremy on Jan 12, 2008 11:22 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

we never were able to get over the top in the "Jacob's Field Era" so might as well go ahead and start the "Progressive Period" with a world championship.

by Brick. on Jan 11, 2008 3:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

We've already had one.

Ooh! How about, "Travis Hafner: Speaks softly, but carries a big stick." I like it.

by nickjs21 on Jan 11, 2008 3:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

boo-yah

by Voltaire on Jan 11, 2008 3:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

I believe the appropriate Rooseveltian response would be "Bully!"

"It's hard to win when you don't score." Cliff Lee, 9/28/05.

by Harry Doyle on Jan 11, 2008 5:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

Thanks.

by Voltaire on Jan 12, 2008 12:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

Lets us the extra revenue to resign some players or make a good free agent splash in the near term or this just looks like a business deal.

All Truth Goes Through Three Stages 1.It is ridiculed 2.It is violently opposed 3.Finally, it is accepted as self-evident LGT kinesiologist! Straw,Drink

by E5 on Jan 11, 2008 7:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

And what, pray tell, is wrong with that?

I swear, next year is it.

by fwembt on Jan 11, 2008 10:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

Here you go, the new home of the Cleveland Indians

http://www.progressivepark.com/

by mikebrowns26 on Jan 11, 2008 9:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

Total BS. Instead of going to the Jake we will now watch games at the PIG (Progressive Insurance Group Park).

by LargeBill on Jan 11, 2008 10:31 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

I confess I'm a little disappointed in my forum mods for just linking to the PD story. I had my hopes up for a name-change live-blog.

by fleerdon on Jan 11, 2008 10:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

Well why don't you cry about it?

It's funny, I feel like there isn't a ton of perspective on this. There are a lot of really awful corporate stadium names out there -- Petco? AT&T? SBC? Quicken Loans? -- and this isn't one of them. As corporate stadium names go, this is quite harmless.

Will we get used to it? Yes.

Will we eventually think of the place by this new name? Yes. No, really, the answer is yes.

Will people think of the corporate sponsor every time the name is heard or read? No, I don't think so. "Progressive" is a regular word.

Was there ever any doubt that we would sell the naming rights to the highest bidder? No.

So this is kind of a relief if you ask me.

by Jay on Jan 12, 2008 12:47 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

That's the essence of my thoughts as well.

Dick Jacobs didn't buy the naming rights out of the goodness of his heart. It was advertising. I'll grant you it had a nice, old-timey ring to it, but it could just been Ignatowski or Sipowicz Field, and then we'd all be relieved that the rights were up.

by fleerdon on Jan 12, 2008 11:27 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

I think there really is an Ignatowski Field -

- it's in Parma.

"It's hard to win when you don't score." Cliff Lee, 9/28/05.

by Harry Doyle on Jan 14, 2008 2:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

So it blends in, then.

by nickjs21 on Jan 14, 2008 6:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

What was he advertising?

I think he essentially bought the rights for his own personal use, but on the other hand:

He was trying to sell the rights.
Nobody else wanted them.
So he essentially bought them from himself.

I mean, they did own the team, and the naming rights were the team's to sell under the lease agreement.

by Jay on Jan 14, 2008 6:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: The Jake's new name: Progressive Field

I didn't mean to connote anything. I only wanted to call attention to the fact that these were naming rights, i.e., property, and property gets sold. We attach significance to the name because it's a nice-sounding name, but, well, property's property. ¿Qué se puede hacer?

by fleerdon on Jan 14, 2008 9:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs